Storage bag for reels

ABSTRACT

A kit comprising a storage bag containing at least two reels for linear elements. The storage bag comprises a body element and at least one end element, which is sized to receive at least one storage reel, and a releasable connection mechanism that connects each of the at least one end elements with matching openings in the body element. Preferably, the storage bag will have one end element and is a soft flexible storage bag. The storage bag of the present invention is tubular in shape with a circular cross section and one end element connected to one end of the tubular shape by a connection mechanism.

This application is a continuation of pending applications 29/188,574,filed on Aug. 20, 2003; 29/230,335, filed on May 18, 2005; and29/230,334, filed on May 18, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of reels for flexible linearelements, such as light strings, extension cords and the like. Morespecifically, the present invention is a kit of multiple storage reelscontained with a storage bag.

BACKGROUND

In the art of storing flexible linear elements, such as light strings,extension cords and the like, there are a few common methods that areacknowledged as being unsatisfactory. Principle among these are merelywadding the linear elements and shoving them onto a shelf or the like.The main disadvantage of this method is the wadding of the linearelement typically creates tangles that need to be unscrambled the nexttime the linear element is used.

Second among these are wrapping the linear elements around a reel of asort and storing the wrapped reel on a shelf or the like. This haddisadvantages when trying to store multiple wrapped reels, where themultiple reels may be separated and/or lost or they may intertangle.

Thus there is a need for a product for the storage of multiple reels forlinear elements, both when the multiple reels are empty or when theycontain wrapped linear elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage bag thatcontains multiple storage reels.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage bagthat contains multiple storage reels have flexible linear elementwrapped around the storage reels.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, both as to its structure and its operation togetherwith the additional object and advantages thereof will best beunderstood from the following description of the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words andphrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art orarts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification willspecifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word orphrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in theDescription of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate adesire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 todefine the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C.§112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s),the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for”or “step for”and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recitea “means for”or “step for” performing a function, if they also reciteany structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, thenthe intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112,paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended thatthe inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, materialor acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but inaddition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that performthe claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developedequivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimedfunction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second end view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the four piece bag for storage of reelscontaining light strings, according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway view of the four piece bag' for storage ofreels containing light strings, according to the present invention,illustrating the placement of the storage of reels containing lightstrings within the bag;

FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway side view of the four piece bag for storageof reels containing light strings, according to the present invention,illustrating the placement of the storage reels containing light stringswithin the bag.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is useful for storing multiple reels for linearelements, such as extension cords, Christmas light strings, cords,cables, yarn string and other flexible linear elements.

With reference to the figures, the present invention is a kit 10comprising a storage bag 12 that contains at least two reels 20 forlinear elements 30.

The storage bag 12 of the present invention comprises a body element 12and at least one end element 14, which is sized to receive at least onestorage reel, and a releasable connection mechanism 16 that connectseach of the at least one end elements 14 with matching openings in thebody element 12. Preferably, the storage bag will have one end element14, but multiple end elements 14 are considered and fall within thescope of the present invention. Further, it is preferred that thestorage bag 12 of the present invention is a soft flexible storage bag,preferably made from a fabric or other woven material. Alternateembodiments include, but are not limited to, storage bags that have aninternal skeleton and a flexible sheath, rigid storage bags,quasi-flexible storage bags and the like. In the preferred embodimentthe storage bag 12 of the present invention is tubular in shape with acircular cross section and one end element 14 connected to one end ofthe tubular shape by a connection mechanism 16 such as zipper hook andloop fasteners, snaps, buttons and the like. In this configuration,multiple round storage reels 12 may be stacked end-on-end within thestorage bag 12. Alternate shapes for the storage bag 12, such asrectangular prisms with square cross sections that can contain multiplereels side-by-side, are considered to fall within the scope of thepresent invention. Further, in yet another embodiment the storage bag 12may be configured to contain multiple reels end-on-end and side-by-side.Finally, the storage bags 12 of the present invention preferably includeat least one handle 18, which may be an end strap or preferably two bodystraps that support the volume of the storage bag 12.

The multiple reels 20 for the kit 10 of the present invention arepreferably cylindrical in shape with a core tube 22 that connects twocircular ends 24. Spanning the inner diameter of the core tube ispreferably a handle element (not shown) for gripping the reel whilewinding the linear element around the reel. Alternate reel shapes, sucha rectangular, square, octagonal, star or D-shape are considered to fallwithin the scope of the present invention.

Finally, in one embodiment the kit according to the present invention isprovided with linear elements wrapped around the storage reels, but analternate embodiment has the kit without linear elements wrapped aroundthe storage reels.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in theDrawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While thesedescriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understoodthat those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/orvariations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Anysuch modifications or variations that fall within the purview of thisdescription are intended to be included therein as well. Unlessspecifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the wordsand phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary andaccustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s).The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of theinvention known to the applicant at the time of filing the applicationhas been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications andvariations are possible in the light of the above teachings. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application and to enableothers skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

1. A kit for storing flexible linear elements comprising a storage bagand at least two reels that are sized to fit within the storage bag,said reels capable of holding flexible linear elements.
 2. The kitaccording to claim 1 wherein the storage bag comprises a body elementand at least one end element, which is sized to receive at least onestorage reel, and a releasable connection mechanism that connects eachof the at least one end elements with matching openings in the bodyelement.
 3. The kit according to claim 2 wherein the storage bag furthercomprises an internal skeleton and a flexible sheath.
 4. The kitaccording to claim 2 wherein the storage bag further comprises at leastone handle attached to an end of the storage bag.
 5. The kit accordingto claim 2 wherein the storage bag further comprises at least one bodystrap attached at a mid section of the storage bag.
 6. The kit accordingto claim 3 wherein the storage bag further comprises at least one handleattached to an end of the storage bag.
 7. The kit according to claim 3wherein the storage bag further comprises at least one body strapattached at a mid section of the storage bag.
 8. The kit according toclaim 2 further comprising 2 reels.
 9. The kit according to claim 2further comprising 3 reels.
 10. The kit according to claim 2 furthercomprising 4 reels.
 11. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising2 reels.
 12. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising 3 reels.13. The kit according to claim 3 further comprising 4 reels.
 14. The kitaccording to claim 6 further comprising 2 reels.
 15. The kit accordingto claim 6 further comprising 3 reels.
 16. The kit according to claim 6further comprising 4 reels.
 17. The kit according to claim 7 furthercomprising 2 reels.
 18. The kit according to claim 7 further comprising3 reels.
 19. The kit according to claim 7 further comprising 4 reels.